Antithrombin III deficiency appearing as mesenteric vein thrombosis

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Hematology
• Genetics

Background:

• Mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) is a rare but serious condition.
• Primary MVT is diagnosed when common causes are absent, accounting for 25-55% of cases.

Observation:

• A case study of a young male patient presenting with primary MVT and extensive bowel infarction.
• The patient was diagnosed with antithrombin III deficiency, a known coagulopathy.

Findings:

• Identified antithrombin III deficiency as a potential underlying cause of primary MVT.
• Demonstrated the link between this deficiency and massive bowel infarction.

Implications:

• Suggests that undiagnosed antithrombin III deficiency may be a factor in other primary MVT cases.
• Emphasizes the importance of screening for antithrombin III deficiency in patients with unexplained intra-abdominal venous occlusion.
• Highlights the need to consider genetic coagulopathies in the etiology of MVT.